Terrebonne hosting fundraising tournament
May 29, 2012
Cecile Brou Mongrue
May 31, 2012
Dr. Seuss’s characters leap from the storybooks onto a local stage this month as children between the ages of 7 and 15 sing the rhymes at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Thibodaux.
The Thibodaux Playhouse is looking to bring audiences on a journey through the world of Dr. Seuss with the musical “Seussical, Jr.”
Erica Annis, director of the children’s summer musical workshop, says this summer’s production is perfect for the age group, which ensures an engaging show and camp.
“I know it is going to be a fun show,” Annis says. “It’s colorful and entertaining. As a teacher, I know my kids are into Dr. Seuss books, and I felt like this was a fitting time to do it.”
In “Seussical, Jr.,” Tony Award winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty bring many of the familiar Dr. Seuss characters to life throughout the whimsical adventure, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and Jojo.
The characters transport the audience through a whirlwind of imagination from the Circus McGurkus to the Jungle of Nool and even the invisible world of the Whos.
The beloved characters leap off the page as Horton the Elephant finds himself facing the challenge to protect his tiny friend Jojo and the rest of Who-world from surrounding dangers. Horton also ends up guarding an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible, lethargic Mayzie Bird.
Through all the risk, ridicule, kidnapping and eventual trial that Horton faces, Gertrude McFuzz is the only one to recognize Horton’s loyal heart.
“Seussical, Jr.” teaches children and adults the values and power of friendship, devotion, family and community.
Registration and pre-auditions were held on May 19 at the Jean Lafitte Theatre in Thibodaux.
“Right now, we have 54 cast members,” Annis said. “So it’s a really large cast, which is great for us.”
Annis, of Thibodaux, has directed children’s musicals for 14 years in New Orleans and Thibodaux, including “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” “Schoolhouse Rock,” “Annie,” “Pirates of Penzance,” “Babes in Toyland,” “Wonderland,” “A Christmas Carol,” “Jolly Roger,” and last year’s “Krazy Kamp.” This show will be her third for the Thibodaux Playhouse.
Camp sessions run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., from May 29 to June 26.
The performances begin at 7 p.m. from June 27-29 and 2 p.m. June 30 at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center, 314 St. Mary St., Thibodaux. Tickets cost $7.
“The cast is decided through auditions during the first week of camp,” Annis says.
Erica Annis, director of Thibodaux Playhouse’s children’s summer musical workshop, stands with summer campers studying “Seussical Jr.,” the play this year’s batch of 7- to 15-year-olds perform this month at the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center Theatre. Pictured from left are cast members Whitney Hicks, Bernard Annis, Lexi Steinmann, Hannah Adams, Mason Clark, Mackenzie Steinmann, Christian Steinmann, Amalie Annis and Christina Galjour.
